WPD Helps Investigate, Arrest Westerly Man on Child Porn Charges

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police aided State Police in arresting a Westerly man at his home Wednesday on child porn charges including pornography possession, distribution, transfer of obscene material to a minor via interstate commerce; and attempted production of child pornography.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan ordered Jonathan Breslin, 32, of Westerly, detained in federal custody following his initial appearance in federal court in Providence Wednesday before on a criminal complaint charging him with receiving and distributing child pornography; possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography; transfer of obscene material to a minor via interstate commerce; and attempted production of child pornography, according to Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.

According to court documents, Breslin drew the attention of police when in late March 2017, a law enforcement officer in Saskatchewan, Canada, arrested an individual in an unrelated matter.

A search of the person’s cell phone revealed an online mobile chat application allegedly used to discuss and share child pornography images and videos to a network of users. A review by Saskatchewan law enforcement identified 78 unique users who allegedly shared and/or communicated about child pornography.

Information developed and records obtained by Canadian law enforcement through Canadian court orders were provided to HSI agents who, identified IP addresses in the United States that were allegedly used to participate in some of the conversations, and/or to upload and view child pornography. Among the IP address identified was one belonging to Breslin, according to court documents.

Further investigation by an HSI agent in Rhode Island included online chats between Breslin and the agent posing as an individual interested in discussing, viewing and sharing child pornography. It is alleged that Breslin discussed viewing, possessing and attempted production of child pornography.

On Wednesday, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a federal court authorized search of Breslin’s Westerly residence. During the search, officials seized a computer, a digital media storage device, and a cell phone allegedly containing child pornography.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.